The shape of the red armor in the furnace was relatively intact, while the large axe started to melt as the melting point of the rosar tin was reached.

Just a little bit more. Grid gazed at the furnace, not even blinking because he was afraid he might lose the timing.

Now! He grasped the moment when the big axe was melted down and the shoulders and waist of the red armor started distorting. His tongs went into the blast furnace as the generated heat withered the grass and flowers around it.

The precious flowers... Some elves made a pained expression. Originally, elves hated human technology because most of the human technology that humans boasted about were damaging to nature.

Piaro came down from the 1,753rd tree and spoke some nonsense, We humans are a weak species, unlike you. We cant survive naked like you and have to depend on technology. It is also natures providence. Try to understand humans rather than hate us unconditionally.

Nonsense, the elves expressed their resistance despite their affinity with Piaro. Human technology evolved just for humans to survive? No, that isnt it. Didnt human technology progress to take away things from others and gain what they desire? We hate humans because they are fundamentally greedy. Their greed isnt the providence of nature. It opposes providence. You are speaking nonsense.

Haha... Piaro was forced to laugh bitterly as there was nothing wrong with the elves words. After all, Piaro had also lived a life of stealing from others and trampling on them. I see. It was also greedy of me to ask you to understand us.

But...

Um...?

We also know that there are friendly humans. Like our young friend who is coming soon... I think we can trust a small number of humans.

Beniyaru knew that Grid, Mercedes, and Piaro could hurt all the elves currently present. However, they didnt hurt the elves. Despite the fact that the elves could have killed them, they forgave the elves. They were quite different from the old humans who had burned the elves wild land with their dirty desires, wanting the youth and beauty of the elves.

Well... there are many types of people in this world. We might meet many people like you in the future. However, I wasnt expecting much. We dont have the capacity to deal with all the treachery and suffering we will face until we meet people like you.

The events were hundreds of years old, but the wounds that humans had dealt to the elves were still prominent. They were still sore and painful. As such, the elves didnt want to understand humans or to be understood by humans.

Ttang! Ttang! Ttang!

As darkness started to fall on the forest of the world tree, Grids hammering was the only thing heard in the awkward silence.

The sounds of Mercedes, Randy, and the Overgeared Skeletons fighting the bear-wolves served as background noise. However, it currently wasnt as fierce as the first battle because there were only two bear-wolves. Once night approached, no more new bear-wolves appeared.

Beniyaru explained to the puzzled Mercedes, The bear-wolves are weak at night. They fall asleep as soon as the sun sinks, and new bear-wolves wont emerge again until dawn.

Im glad. The legendary knight was relieved. The continuous battle with the bear-wolves was a challenge for Mercedes. On the other hand, the Overgeared Skeletons were disappointed. Their eyes were like as they looked at the bear-wolves and stabbed. They were eager to continue fighting. After all, they were undead and didnt have any restrictions on stamina, unlike living creatures.

Good! Meanwhile, Grid smiled brightly as he placed the two sets of red armor on the anvil and starting hammering. He succeeded in completely separating the black mithril from the ogre bones and the rosar tin, and the black iron plate flashed red. The raw material which made up the inner iron plates of the red armor was black mithril. A skilled craftsman had processed it into a fine form, but it wasnt perfect.

Grid placed the iron plates on the anvil and started the full-scale tempering and forging.

Ttang! Ttang!

I cant lose the unique characteristics of the red armor by damaging the red energy.

The iron plates should be further strengthened and shaped to the ideal form. Grid thought this as he hammered repeatedly at constant intervals. Tens of minutes and then hours went by.

[You are extremely focused, and the Legendary Blacksmiths Patience skill has been activated.]

[The Legendary Blacksmiths Breath has been activated.]

[You are extremely focused, and the Legendary Blacksmiths Patience skill has been activated.]

[The Legendary Blacksmiths Breath has been...]

[The Legendary Blacksmiths Breath has risen to Lv. 7!]

......

......

Grid received a compensation effect comparable to when he produced the Enlightenment Sword. It wasnt an effect that could be achieved simply by raising his concentration. He also had to be lucky.

Good!

This was the best start. Grid was filled with joy as his concentration heightened.

[The black mithril is filled with your fighting energy.]

...!! Grids fighting energy had been kept at the maximum thanks to Mercedes, Piaro, and Beniyaru. Grid injected the solemn red and purple aura fiercely into the black mithril. This was the moment when the true value of the black mithrils characteristic of having a high affinity with any form of energy was revealed. Now, the iron plate made of black mithril was blinking purple as well as red.

Maybe?

Would something beyond his expectations be born?

Ttang! Ttang! Ttang His hammering became stronger as Grid entered a state of nothingness.

Is that a human? The elves eyes were wide open as they watched Grid work steadily. They were amazed by Grids dexterity and focused concentration. In particular, Beniyaru was greatly shocked. How can a human...?

To think that Grid was able to enter a higher spiritual realm than the elves who had lived for hundreds of years and received the protection of nature and the elementals...? It was an area that couldnt be seen even by the 12 Te.

No, wont it be difficult even for a high elf?

What type of life had this human lived? How could he achieve this level in just decades? Beniyaru couldnt imagine it. Having been trapped in this forest due to old wounds, it was impossible for her to gauge the lives of the heroes living in the present.

Kyak kyak!

The last two remaining bear-wolves were hunted. Then suddenly, the Overgeared Skeletons that were sitting like puppies next to Grid came forward. They picked a flat rock and started to hit it with their swords. The Overgeared Skeletons seemed to be copying Grids hammering.

How lovely.

Haha, these guys want to learn from their master.

Mercedes and Piaro watched the Overgeared Skeletons with warm smiles. The skeletons looked cute as they tried to copy their master. However, this was a desperate situation for Grid. If he hadnt entered this trance state... he would probably be yelling at the Overgeared Skeletons to stop once he realized that they were copying him. He didnt want to see blacksmith appear in the list of second class advancement for the Overgeared Skeletons But what could he do? The water had already been spilled.

The Overgeared Skeletons copied Grids hammering, and their posture soon started to resemble his.

......

The Overgeared Skeletons were silent for once. Now that they became accustomed to the blacksmithing itself, they were learning Grids focus.

[Overgeared Skeleton One has acquired the skill Skeletons Patience.]

[Overgeared Skeleton Two has acquired the skill Skeletons Patience.]

These notification windows passed through Grids vision.

Ttang!

Ttang!

Okay. A bit more, a bit more...! Grid wasnt aware of them since he was busy hammering the black mithril filled with fighting energy. Meanwhile, an elf approached Beniyaru and whispered, Kir has arrived at the village.

Finally...!

The world trees illness could be cured! The excited Beniyaru told Piaro, We have to go back to the village for a while. Will you come with me? I will set aside a place for you to take a break.

I will stay here.

Why? It is late at night. There is a possibility that ancient species more threatening than the bear-wolf will show up. It could be dangerous for you.

I cant interfere with Masters work. I will stay here with him.

...It seems like his work will continue until dawn.

No, it could take a few days. But what does it matter? Piaro would continue to protect Grid for one hundred years, one thousand years. After speaking, he looked at Mercedes. Take a break.

Then please excuse me. I will take the dawn shift.

She was once again standing vigil with Piaro Mercedes was reminded of her training days and became cheerful. After the elves left, Noe and Randy fell asleep. Meanwhile, Piaro and Mercedes slept in shifts as Grids work continued.

***

Ohh...!

In the elves village, the elves faces turned rosy as they gathered under the world treethe ancient tree that sustained the world. It was because the world tree completely regained its health five minutes after Kir sprinkled on it some water, which he claimed was the only holy water that could cure the world tree.

Well, it was funny to say that the world tree had been in a bad state in the first place. After all, only a few leaves had turned yellow. However, when those few leaves became brighter again, it made Kirs claim of holy water seem real.

Is it Goddess Rebeccas holy water?

Elves didnt worship gods. The world tree was the only existence they regarded as great and precious. That didnt mean they denied the existence of the gods. In particular, they had a great liking for Rebecca, the goddess of light. As Kir explained to the questioning elves, his good appearance, soft voice, and smile gave them confidence.

Talking with a merchant will make you bewitched. One of the famous laws of Satisfy was being fully manifested at this moment.

Thats right. I rushed to the Vatican and poured out my life savings as a donation.

Doing all of this for us...

You are my saviors. I will do anything for you. Now, everyone.

Kir felt the elves attention focused on him. Were there no male elves today? How come men didnt show up last time either? Kir had these questions in mind as he brought a carriage full of jars toward the elves.

I still have a lot of holy water left. Taking it will help your health. Please share a toast with me. Shouldnt we celebrate the recovery of the world tree?

Okay. Lets make a toast.

The elves health wasnt a concern like it was for humans. Unlike humans, elves lived for a long time and maintained their youth. In that case, why should they drink the goddess holy water? Some of the elves thought of this question, but there was no room for them to think about it.

Adept at leading the atmosphere, Kir had already gotten all the elves to hold glasses in their hands.

To the eternal health of the world tree.

Kir drank the holy water, and most of the elves followed, causing all of them to get poisoned and experience a terrible pain. This was the moment when the merchant Kir, who had dealings with the Yatan Servants, showed off the power of the Yatan Essence he had secured in large quantities.

Kukuk! Kukukuk! Kuhahahahat! Is there anything in the world as easy as deceiving old people who dont know the world?

Kirs nice smile had disappeared. Instead, his evil laughter and the screams of the elves, who were now caught by his men, enveloped the village.